There are many reasons why the iPhone 5s is a great smartphone. But there are also many reasons why I’m sticking with my Galaxy S4 despite owning both of them.
1. Bigger Screen
I know, I know. This is probably the most childish of reasons. But let’s face it: a bigger screen is a more enjoyable experience, especially when watching a YouTube video or play a game. The iPhone 5s has a beautiful screen, with an extremely wide viewing angle. But so does the Galaxy S4 and it measures 1-inch bigger from corner to corner.
2. Gmail Integration
Not only do I use Gmail for my personal email, but for work as well; I have Gmail apps setup and got in when it was free. Gmail on Android isn’t an after thought like it is on the iPhone 5s. And despite there being a Gmail app for iOS, it’s far and away not the same integrated experience that allows me to easily dial numbers direct from Gmail or save contact info. Moreover, the Gmail app on iOS is sluggish by comparison to that of the Android version. Ultimately, Gmail is part of the Android eco system and it’s evident, very, very evident.
3. Google Now
Creepiness aside, I love the functionality of Google Now. If not for nothing, it’s a good example of how Apple should be innovating, or should have innovated in terms of an OS. With little to no effort I can track packages, check in on flights and hotel reservations, or get updates about my commute home or to place that Android has deemed familiar. And it’s all integrated directly into the OS.
4. Swappable Battery
I don’t really need to explain this one, do I? Sure, carrying around a spare battery is slightly impractical – I’d never suggest you’d do that. Instead, having a fully charged spare battery at home or at the office is the perfect option since you can just drop in a new battery and run. With the iPhone 5s you’ll need a battery case or have to sit patiently while it charges up. And, if the battery dies or degrades, you’re stuck.
5. Not One of many or As Many
This might be the second most childish of reasons. And while the Galaxy S4 isn’t exactly unique, it’s still less likely that you’ll find one “sitting” next to you at a restaurant. iPhone owners=drones.
6. Google Cloud Instead of iCloud
iCloud is horse poop. Sure, the photostream function is neat, but it hardly makes up for all the other crap you have to deal with. Don’t believe me? Ask a friend or two with an iPhone, and I bet they’ve had a problem with backing up to iCloud at some point. And iCloud isn’t platform agnostic. So seamlessly moving contacts to say Android or Windows isn’t a simple affair. With Google’s Gmail I can switch from iOS to Android (and vice versa) without a single hiccup. And lastly, it’s easy to restore to a past phonebook revisions simply by logging into your Gmail account via the Web.
7. Widgets
While Apple’s most recent version of iOS (iOS 7) brings some much wanted (and needed) features – many of them have long been available on the Android platform – it still lacks the handy widgets that can be found in Android. Widgets, such as email or your calendar (my two fave) can be added to any home screen, big or small. My personal preference is to setup the two left home screens as email and calendar, respectively. In iOS you’ll have to fire up each app individually to see this.
8. Work productivity
Currently, I’m using an iPhone 5s. As a result my productivity on my phone, at least in terms of sending emails and sharing files – Dropbox is not integrated directly into iOS, or at least isn’t a default option when sharing photos – is a higher hurdle than that of iOS. Some of this can be attributed to my propensity for using Google Docs and Gmail, but it is what it is.
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